Turning nightmares into dreams

By Ben Dirs

BBC Sport's Top 10 selector

Boxing, it can be argued, is the only sport that inspires great art.

Ernest Hemingway in literature, Francis Bacon in painting and Martin Scorsese in film-making were just three of the 20th Century's great cultural figures to be mesmerised by the ring.

Perhaps because boxing is less sport than a microcosm of life, infused with the gamut of human emotions.

But also because, at a time when sportsmen and women are consumed and moulded by their chosen careers at a younger and younger age, most boxers remain human beings first and sportsmen second.

Try as they might, Hollywood will never make a compelling film about Tiger Woods, a genius no doubt, but a genius who has hit golf balls for hours a day since the age of three.

And only a madman would attempt to make a film about Premiership footballers, a breed of sportsmen obsessed with shopping, cars and personal grooming.

But film-makers are keeping tabs on Kassim Ouma, Uganda's IBF light middleweight champion who was fighting a war at the age of seven and is now sizing up middleweight king Bernard Hopkins.

Struggle and bravery

An extreme example of boxing's rags-to-riches stereotype, admittedly, but still in keeping with a sport defined by intense struggle and unfathomable bravery.

Ouma, now 26, endured 12 years as a child soldier in Uganda's rebel army, a chapter of his life he is understandably reluctant to discuss.

But he will reveal how boxing saved him from a life more horrific than most of us can ever imagine.

By God's grace I'll be Africa's greatest ever fighter Kassim Ouma

"I didn't think I would be a professional boxer," Ouma told BBC Sport. "I just did it to do less work.

"My hero was (Uganda's former light middleweight world champion) John "The Beast" Mugabi. But I didn't think about following in his footsteps - I was just trying to be a good person.

"In 1998 I asked around for money and then worked my way to America where I was given political asylum.

"I wanted to have one fight and then go back home - but I didn't have a home to go to. So I had to stay in America and keep things going.

"I stayed in hotels and on the streets of Washington DC - all over. My first trainer took me into the gym and showed me around and I fought in some tournaments.

"Then in March 1998 I moved to Florida and (former light welterweight world champion) Johnny Bumphus took me on as a professional when many thought I couldn't do it.

"Then in 2002 I was shot (in a drive-by). They put the person who did it in jail but they've since let him out. The injuries weren't too bad - I'm living.

"These things happen. America's a good place and I see it as my home away from home."

Fellow Ugandan and world champion John "The Beast" Mugabi

Despite Ouma's apparent nonchalance, the drive-by shooting led to part of his intestine being removed, yet failed to derail his burgeoning career.

In February 2004, "The Dream" outpointed Verno Phillips to claim the IBF crown, a title he has defended once.

His next fight is on 18 June, but he already has Hopkins in his sights, as well as the winner of Winky Wright v Felix Trinidad on 17 May.

"I'll fight whoever. Hopkins is the great middleweight of our time - but I'm the king of the new generation."

But while Ouma is living "The Dream" as a fighter, remnants of his nightmare remain.

Two of Ouma's three children are in Uganda and he has not seen them for seven years.

Nevertheless, he is optimistic he will be reunited with them one day.

'Nothing is impossible'

"Nothing is impossible and hopefully they will be joining me soon. It's painful being without them - I go only two days without seeing them and I think, 'Oh, God, I miss my babies'.

"My son turned eight in February and my daughter's almost 10. I would love to return to Uganda but the situation is difficult. I'll take it easy until that time comes."

Taking it easy means chasing career-defining fights and earning enough money to be able to give something back.

"My aim is to make the Hall of Fame and be like Muhammad Ali. But I'd also like to do good things: build a school and a big hospital.

"I see myself moving up eventually to light heavy and, by God's grace, I'll be Africa's greatest ever fighter.

"I've had the saddest times. Now I'm trying to live my life to the full."